Education Studies BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This education studies degree has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG4 Quality Education.

  If you are curious about education, keen to learn more and not sure yet where in the vast world of education you see yourself in the future – BA Education Studies here at the University of Northampton could be the place for you.

  BA Education Studies is a multi-disciplinary programme and is designed to explore the field of education from a range of perspectives including international education. From the very beginning we encourage a thoughtful, reflective and rigorous approach to challenging assumptions. You are encouraged to become critical thinkers questioning the very basis of education, able to critique policy, compare differing approaches and ultimately reflect on your own development as an educationalist. You will be well equipped for a range of careers working with children, young people, families and beyond.

  This programme is not limited by a focus on a specific age range. You will benefit from the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and understanding of education in its broadest sense. There are opportunities to learn about and apply this learning during placements with very young children, primary and/or secondary aged children, families, young people and continuing into adult education  – we believe passionately that education is relevant throughout the lifespan and can be found almost anywhere. You will be able to choose the age range and type of education setting that you wish to focus on, and you will be supported finding placements to fit your needs and interests.

  One of our current Education Studies students, Millie, has recently completed her first year placement, take a look at her story and see how inspiring these opportunities can be and how they can provide the first crucial steps in your career.

  Hear from our students

  • Shelena and Charlotte’s student story part one
  • Shelena and Charlotte’s student story part two
  • Millie’s a day in the life

  To provide you with a broad perspective on education in various contexts and settings, you will have the opportunity to visit numerous institutions across the UK. These experiences will enable you to immerse yourself in different environments, reflect on them, and explore a wide range of potential professions that might be the perfect fit for you.  All compulsory visits are inclusive of your course fees.

  Past visits have included local museums and heritage sites, forest schools, prisons, the Houses of Parliament, local schools, therapeutic outreach provisions, alternative provisions, the Museum of Childhood, and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

  Optional overseas visits are also available.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1

    Stage One of this education studies degree provides a solid foundation by exploring a broader understanding of education including a basis in child development, and an exploration of what schools are, and could be. You will have the opportunity to apply this by observing practice during your placement towards the end of year one.

    • School: Past, Present and Future (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1034

      Status: Compulsory
      School: Past, Present and Future enables students to synthesise their previous school experiences with recent and contemporary education changes to develop a proposal for an improved School System in England, to reflect upon academic performance, and so enhance their graduate employability.
    • Understanding Education (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1035

      Status: Compulsory
      The module supports the transition into Higher Education, providing opportunities for personal, professional and academic development. Students will explore the concept of Education Studies and provides opportunities for discussion and exploration of key themes and phenomena.
    • Educational Landscapes (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1036

      Status: Compulsory
      This module develops students appreciation of what six subject disciplines can offer to the study of education, and their contribution to education systems to nurture a multi-disciplinary approach to educational issues, problems and concerns.
    • Childhood through Time (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1037

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to examine changing constructs and identities of the nature of childhood through time, from Medieval to Modern eras, including living memory and their own recent and current experiences.
    • Learning Re-imagined: disruptive and inclusive curriculum (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1038

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to encourage students to interrogate how the curriculum might support or undermine presence, participation and achievement. Students will be enabled to develop their understanding of disruptive and inclusive curricula and why and how these matter in the context of a diverse society.
    • Professional Practice in Educational Settings (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1039

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this work based learning module is to to support the application of theoretical perspectives of Education Studies in an educational setting and provide opportunities for the development of reflective professional practice and employability skills. Work based learning opportunities will be broad and could include, for example, setting based, virtual reality or online. There will be opportunities for students to arrange their own placements in consultation with the Partnership Tutor
    • Understanding Child Development in Education (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1040

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables students to develop their understanding of a range of key theories of child development and explore their relevance for learning and the design of education programmes and policy in diverse contexts.
    • Educational Inequalities (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1041

      Status: Compulsory
      Educational Inequalities enables students to synthesise issues inherent to Educational Inequalities with their previous education experiences to create an education autobiographical narrative, and reflect upon engagement with the concepts of inclusion and exclusion whilst enhancing their graduate employability.
  • Stage 2

    This foundation from first year is built upon during Stage Two where global and diverse perspectives are explored and the placement opportunity at this stage could include time spent in a European country.

    • Debates in Education (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2002

      Status: Compulsory
      Debates in Education facilitates students? development of key graduate-employability skills of communication, argument, and analysis spontaneously in unpredictable live oral environments in which each student takes on the role of lecturers to research, present and lead debate of contended education issues, as well as reflectively in retrospective written reports.
    • Special Education Needs and Inclusion (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2030

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop a critical appreciation of the complex and individual nature of SEND, whilst increasing depth of understanding of the issues and debates related to SEND and Inclusion and their impact on learners and other key stakeholders in learning and teaching.
    • Learning Through Education Research (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to explore research methodologies and methods in order to learn about educational research. This module will provide students with the broad characteristics of social science research practice. Students will develop a research tool and present research plans on their chosen topic of interest.
    • Education in a Diverse Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2032

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this work based module is to extend previous learning about communication, research and ethics in educational setting with a specific focus on difference and diversity in a range of contexts. There will be opportunities for students to arrange their own placement in consultation with the Partnership Tutor.
    • Education and Technology (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2033

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? confidence in using, critiquing and applying technology in education. There will be an exploration of theoretical perspectives, policy influences, practical application, ethical implications and the role of the educator.
    • Education in a Global Context (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to empower students to investigate the international context of education. Students will explore historical, cultural, and political dimensions in the context of global priorities that have an impact upon education systems.
  • Stage 3

    Throughout the educational studies degree there is an emphasis on embracing educational research, and during the third stage, you will complete a dissertation based upon your own research. The placement experience at this stage will be where you can critically reflect on the impact of research in practice and on yourself as an educationalist. Ultimately becoming the educational leaders and thinkers of the future.

    • Education, Culture and Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3004

      Status: Compulsory
      This module critically examines cultures within educational institutions and wider, socio-economic dimensions relating to children, young people and families. It is sociologically based but also draws upon the economic and business models, and the philosophy and politics that shape educational establishments and the behaviour of communities.
    • Exploring Deviance and Disaffection (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3026

      Status: Compulsory
      Exploring Deviance and Disaffection enables students to explore the diverse nature of deviance and disaffection from the theoretical and applied paradigms relevant to understanding the role of related social justice as it impacts on education, teachers, and learners.
    • Empowering Change in Professional Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3068

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to focus on students' professional development and employability skills through a placement opportunity that enable students to critically analyse leadership theories and the ethical and political influences on leadership and management in education. Students are encouraged to seek their own placement authorised by the partnership tutor.
    • Education, Heritage and Communities (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3069

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides an exploration of the term heritage as distinct from traditional forms of historical assets, focusing on the ethnic and cultural aspects used to create and communicate historical and cultural narratives. Students will develop practical knowledge of the diverse roles of education in contemporary heritage and community practices.
    • Education Studies Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: EDU4007

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to produce an extended piece of work which explores an education-related topic in-depth. Students will conduct independent research in order to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of their chosen topic.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Education Studies degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your education studies course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs in education or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) for this educational studies degree offers a new and exciting route into studying for a BA (Hons) degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for BA Education Studies, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• Work Placements

  Work based learning opportunities are embedded throughout the Education Studies degree.

  In Year One, you will have 4 weeks of placement. The first week is arranged as a skills development week and this takes place on campus. This week enables you to feel fully prepared and ready to then spend the remaining three weeks in your placement setting of choice. The focus of this placement is learning and development, it takes place at the end of the first year so you are able to apply all of your theoretical learning from the first year to your observations of learning and development.

  In Year Two, you have four weeks of placement: By Year Two you already have a successful placement under your belt. In this placement there is some flexibility about how the four weeks are completed, this can include a week overseas and it can also be stretched out over a period of 6 to 7 weeks, timetable dependent. The focus in Year Two is on diversity and difference and you will reflect on inclusion in your placement setting. Assessment is via a reflective report where you apply theory to practice.

  In Year Three, you have two weeks of placement: These two weeks happen in the first half of the final year to enable you to spend the later part of the year focused on your own research. This placement focuses on empowering change, social inequality and creating solutions. This is a powerful conclusion to your work based learning and provides an excellent step from which to move into the next step in your career.

  Examples of work based learning settings:

  • Nursery
  • Primary school
  • Secondary school
  • Heritage Centre
  • Alternative provision for young people with mental health difficulties
  • Alternative provision for young people with behavioural difficulties
  • Charity to support families with children with autism and local charity providing community support
  • Special Educational Needs (SEN) school
  • Hospital outreach programme
  • Children’s home
  • University learning development team
  • Local library
  • Mental Health charity providing outdoor provision to support and improve community wellbeing.

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• FAQs

  How often will I need to attend?

  The amount of on-campus teaching for the education studies degree varies from module to module, as does how it is delivered. Generally, you will have the most time face-to-face with the lecturer in your first year. Some modules for this education studies degree in the second year will be taught off-campus on trips and visits and final year study is often based on tutorials and individual time with the lecturer rather than formal lectures.

  How will I be assessed on the Education Studies degree?

  There are no exams for Education Studies. Instead, assessments take the form of essays, portfolios, presentations, analysis and reflection.

  What can I do with an Education Studies degree?

  There are lots of options available to you, especially in the Education sector. This could be in school settings, government / local authorities or international settings too. If you would like to become a teacher after studying this course, we can support you into postgraduate study.

  Do students get to experience some of the education methods that are learnt about on BA Education Studies?

  Yes we teach you the theoretical and the experiential elements of the education studies. For example, we visit forest schools so that you get to experience that. Visits to museums and art galleries are also part of the course. Placements have been designed to enable students to look closely at education in action, so look at and find the theory that we have been learning about in practice. What is important is that students learn about the theory and research (which we do within the various modules), recognise what this looks like in reality (achieved through the placements) and then are able to reflect upon that (students reflect on their experiences during and afterwards).

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